We are now four weeks away from Opening Day, which this year will be Thursday, April 1. The Los Angeles Dodgers will start their quest to repeat as Champions against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
So far in this young Spring Training schedule the Dodgers have played four games, and have a record of 2-0-2. Every regular position player has seen some time so far, and the majority of pitchers have also seen some action.
This season has been seen as a make-or-break type season for Gavin Lux. The team and fans alike had hoped that he would contribute more to the team in the past two seasons, but that had not come to fruition.
However, coming into camp this season, second base is seen as Lux’s to lose. So far, Gavin has impressed. Manager Dave Roberts, who has said that mechanically, Lux is in “a considerably better place than he was at this year last time.” Roberts also stated that “I see him getting a good runway regularly. What that means I think there’s room for conversation. But him against a lefty, I don’t think we’re too concerned about that.”
Lux is 2-for-3 so far this spring in three plate appearances with an RBI. He seems to be attacking pitching and looks much more comfortable at the plate.
On the pitching side of things, Clayton Kershaw is the only regular starting pitcher yet to appear in a Cactus League game. He is slated to start in Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Kershaw threw a bullpen on Tuesday and could also perhaps just throw another bullpen on Friday. If in the game, he will throw for two innings.
Jimmy Nelson will start Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, followed at some point by Blake Treinen, Ryan Pepiot, Victor Gonzalez, Josiah Gray, and Edwin Uceta. Trevor Bauer will pitch again on Saturday.
Some young arms have impressed in camp so far. In Wednesday’s game, both Bobby Miller and Landon Knack showcased their stuff. Miller, the Dodgers’ number seven prospect, needed only six pitches to get though his inning. He was a little wild, hitting a batter, but got a ground-ball double play immediately to get himself out of trouble. Knack looked sharp to start, but ended up surrendering a two-run homer. Still, this is his first professional action after having been drafted by the Dodgers in 2020.
Zach McKinstry is still playing all over the field, and is starting again in tonight’s game. The Dodgers are definitely putting him into multiple scenarios to get him used to what his season probably will be.
Thursday’s lineup vs. Cubs:
James Outman is another who has impressed in camp. He made a fantastic diving catch in centerfield in Wednesday’s game and has looked pretty solid at the plate so far.
Once again the Dodgers have incredible depth, and it’s going to be fun watching these guys battle it out to see who will make the roster at the end of camp.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Love the fact that ZacMac is getting regular playing time this spring. My guess is that they want him to make the opening day roster and the only way he doesn’t is if he plays himself off it.
Looking forward to seeing Nelson, Gray and Pepiot tonight along with the other guys who have pitched already. It would sure be nice if they would let Kaybear out of Venezuela to participate at Camelback.
My apologies Andy, I really don’t mean to nitpick here, but you have our spring record as 2-2 and technically it is 2-0-2. Also, you said that CK was the only regular starter not to have appeared in a game yet but I don’t think Price has taken the mound yet either. Again, these are very minor corrections. Just want you to know I read every word you post. 🙂
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Haha thanks and yes always correct me! I’m usually writing between taking card of kids and other things so I’m sure I miss things. And in my head, I’d seen Price pitch! Maybe that was just a dream 😜
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I can’t believe you consider taking care of your kids as important as writing for my enjoyment. Get your priorities in order. 🙂
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Will try to better next time 😉
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And Dennis had already corrected half of it!
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Think we are all a little confused about zacmac after the discussions several days ago. I think Zac actually has a lock on the roster until, they can figure out 2nd base. If lux doesn’t cut it they will need him because don’t think they have anyone to filling around the infield. There is no kiki this year. If lux plays to his potential, that will solve a whole bunch of roster problems. Taylor then becomes a super sub again. Without lux taylor plays a lot of 2nd base and I think zac inherits a roster spot.
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I missed the top half of the first inning, how did jimmy Nelson look?
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Stuff looked nasty, but his control was not great. Would have gotten out of the inning but an error allowed the run to score. None of the pitchers at all that impressive as Cubs have 7 runs. Offense getting on base, but not much else. Uceta and Gray hit hard.
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Zacmac strikes again
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I saw grey pitch he didn’t look bad but I don’t think I saw him throw anything but fastballs, sooner or later Major leaguers will time a fastball, no matter how hard you throw it. Does anybody know why he wasn’t throwing any off speed stuff?
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Taylor with a big grand slam today, Kershaw looked good.
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